Preliminary study on zinc smelting relics from the Linjiangerdui site in Zhongxian County, Chongqing City, southwest China

Wei, Luo; Li, Dadi; Mu, Di; Bai, Jiujiang; Xiao, Birui

doi:10.1016/j.microc.2016.02.015

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Similar processes and techniques of that of Roman cementation were applied and diffused in Middle East 5 , India 15 , China 16,17 , Northern Europe 12,13,18 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microstructure and chemical composition of Roman orichalcum coins emitted after the monetary reform of Augustus (23 B.C.)

Fazio

Felici

Catalli³

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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A collection of ancient Roman orichalcum coins, i . e ., a copper-zinc alloy, minted under the reigns from Caesar to Domitianus, have been characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). We studied, for the first time, coins emitted by Romans after the reforms of Augustus (23 B.C.) and Nero (63–64 A.D). These coins, consisting of asses , sestertii , dupondii and semisses , were analysed using non- and invasive analyses, aiming to explore microstructure, corrosive process and to acquire quantitative chemical analysis. The results revealed that the coins are characterized by porous external layers, which are affected by dezincification and decuprification processes. As pictured by the X-ray maps, the elemental distribution of Cu and Zn shows patterns of depletion that in some cases penetrate in deep up to 1 mm. The composition of the un-corroded nucleus is a Cu-Zn alloy containing up to 30% of Zn, typical of coins produced via cementation process.

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“…Similar processes and techniques of that of Roman cementation were applied and diffused in Middle East 5 , India 15 , China 16,17 , Northern Europe 12,13,18 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microstructure and chemical composition of Roman orichalcum coins emitted after the monetary reform of Augustus (23 B.C.)

Fazio

Felici

Catalli³

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…In contrast, the ancient Chinese zinc pyrometallurgical technology is mainly based on the smelting of non-sulfide zinc ores, which include smithsonite (ZnCO 3 ) and hemimorphite [Zn 4 Si 2 O 7 (OH) 2 (H 2 O)] [ 4 , 10 ]. The archaeological evidence [ 11 , 12 ] and scientific analyses [ 13 , 14 , 15 ] showed that the ores distilled in Chongqing, southwest China, in the Ming (CE 1368–1644) and Qing (CE 1636–1912) dynasties, were mainly oxidized ores. Moreover, the investigations of traditional Chinese zinc smelting technology indicate that, until the late 20th century, zinc metallurgy in Western Central China, including the provinces of Yunnan [ 16 ], Guizhou [ 17 ], and Sichuan [ 18 , 19 ], was still limited to the non-sulfide ores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these sites, the most representative ones are the Tongmuling site and the Doulingxia site, dated back to the Qing dynasty. Significantly distinguished from the zinc smelting sites found in Chongqing [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], a large number of cylindrical hearths ( Figure 1 a) were found to be distributed on the edge of the smelting area in the sites [ 20 ]. Our previous study reveals that in these cylindrical hearths, a lengthy roasting process was conducted to oxidize the zinc sulfide ores at a lower temperature before distilling [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microstructure, Mineralogical Characterization and the Metallurgical Process Reconstruction of the Zinc Calcine Relics from the Zinc Smelting Site (Qing Dynasty)

Xiao

Zhou

et al. 2021

Materials

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The smelting of zinc is considered as one of the most challenging technologies in ancient civilization. Compared with non-sulfide zinc ores, the smelting of zinc sulfide ores is more complicated since they have to be roasted before smelting. The technological smelting process of the ancient zinc metallurgy technology has been studied and partly reconstructed. However, the roasting technology, including the roasting conditions and involved metallurgical processes, is still unclear. The discovery of the zinc smelting site of Doulingxia dates back to the Qing dynasty (CE 1636–1912), and for the first time provides us with critical archeological evidence to gain an insight into the roasting technology in ancient zinc metallurgy technology. In this paper, the microstructure and mineralogical features of the zinc calcine relics found at the Doulingxia site were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). To reconstruct the metallurgical process, the original roasting temperature of the unearthed zinc calcine was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), combined with reheating experiments and phase composition analysis as well as microstructural analysis. The simulation experiments were conducted to reconstruct the roasting process. The results indicated that the original roasting temperature of the unearthed zinc calcine should be in a range of 650–850 °C, most probably near 750 °C. As long as the retention time is long enough, all sphalerite can be oxidized when the roasting temperature is above 650 °C. The final roasting products mainly include tiny porous particles of ZnFe2O4, Fe2O3, PbSO4, and ZnO. These findings are helpful to reconstruct the ancient zinc metallurgy technology of zinc sulfide ores.

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“…The scale of zinc smelting, however, suggests that it was an important element of the economy during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Interest in ancient Chinese zinc-smelting technology has increased in recent years (Huang et al 2012;Zhou et al 2012Zhou et al , 2014Zhou et al , 2018Fan et al 2015;Luo et al 2016Luo et al , 2018Chen & Souza 2017).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The ore recovered is lead-zinc ore, which possibly comes from the Qiyao Mountain region. A number of samples of unsmelted ore and slag were analysed (Luo et al 2016), and 14 radiocarbon assays were taken from charcoal samples. These produced dates between AD 1408 and 1650 (at 95.4% confidence).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ancient zinc smelting in the Upper and Middle Yangtze River region

Li¹,

Xiao

Juleff

et al. 2020

Antiquity

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Preliminary study on zinc smelting relics from the Linjiangerdui site in Zhongxian County, Chongqing City, southwest China

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Microstructure and chemical composition of Roman orichalcum coins emitted after the monetary reform of Augustus (23 B.C.)

Microstructure and chemical composition of Roman orichalcum coins emitted after the monetary reform of Augustus (23 B.C.)

Microstructure, Mineralogical Characterization and the Metallurgical Process Reconstruction of the Zinc Calcine Relics from the Zinc Smelting Site (Qing Dynasty)

Ancient zinc smelting in the Upper and Middle Yangtze River region

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